University of New Hampshire

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Huddleston signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and UNH is a signatory to the Talloires Declaration. A detailed website provides campus initiative information and showcases profiles of university members who advance sustainability. The university employs numerous sustainability staff.

In late 2008, UNH will fuel its cogeneration heat and power plant with landfill gas, significantly reducing energy use and emissions. The university's Energy Task Force advances emissions reduction education, policies, and conservation practices.

Dining services purchases from approximately 54 farms and producers in New England, 21 of which are located in New Hampshire. Produce from the on-campus organic garden is used in the dining halls. Approximately 60 percent of the overall waste is diverted through composting and recycling.

Once the UNH building standards are updated, all new construction and major renovation projects will seek the equivalent of LEED Silver certification. The renovation of DeMerrit Hall, completed in August 2008, features sustainable design that will exceed LEED Silver standards.

Many offices and departments across campus offer sustainability internships to students. Sustainability information for students and parents is included in orientation materials, materials for commuter students, admissions resources, and online. Students are active with campus sustainability groups.

In vehicle procurement decisions, UNH's EcoCat selection program focuses on fuel efficiency and low-emissions guidelines. The Cat Cycles bike program allows any member of the university to sign out a bike and accessories for up to one week. UNH planning ensures that the campus is pedestrian and bike friendly.

The University System of New Hampshire and the UNH Foundation make a list of endowment fund holdings available to the public online.

The university and the UNH Foundation aim to optimize investment return and are now exploring the establishment of a new revolving energy fund that will invest in on-campus efficiency projects with $1 million of the foundation's endowment. UNH anticipates being the first institution of higher education in the country to create such a fund using a portion of its own endowment.

In fall 2008, UNH plans to launch a new sustainable endowment management committee comprised of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The committee will be charged with making recommendations on the adoption and expansion of policies and practices related to sustainable endowment management. However, the University System of New Hampshire and the UNH Foundation do not have the ability to vote proxies, as both maintain pooled funds, not individually managed accounts.